Grease and flour your cake pans in one step using this Homemade Cake Release! Made with 3 simple ingredients, this cake goop guarantees perfect cakes, muffins and breads every time!! Use this for some of my favorite cakes like my Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Lemon Layer Cake or Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake.
Imagine this: you’ve spent an hour carefully beating butter, sugar and eggs, sifting flour and cleaning the mess as you go. The oven is timer has gone off and the cake that exits is soft, moist and bouncy. But, once the cake is cooled and you’ve turned it over, it sticks to the pan and falls apart. Believe me, I’ve been there and it is NOT fun.
I’ve got good news for you though, after today, that will never happen again! Today’s recipe is the simplest Homemade Cake Release that turns out a beautiful cake time and time again.
For years, this has been my best kept baking secret and now, I’m sharing it with you!
WHAT IS CAKE RELEASE?
Known as pan release, cake release or cake goop, it is a mixture of flour, vegetable oil and shortening that’s used to coat baking pans. Cake Release is an essential in my home pantry; it’s a one step process that leaves my cake flour residue-free and without any damage.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE CAKE PAN RELEASE
Cake release recipes can vary in ingredients but, for the most part, they include equal parts flour, vegetable oil and shortening. I use a cup of each which makes quite a bit of goop. If you’d like to make more or less, just adjust the measurements, making sure to maintain the equal ratios.
To make, place all the ingredients in one bowl and mix until incorporated and lump-free. Voila!
HOW TO USE PAN RELEASE
Using cake release couldn’t be simpler. When the oven is preheated and the batter is ready to go, dip a rubber pastry brush into the mixture and brush it onto your pan. Alternatively, you could use your hands (after being washed of course), or a wad of paper towel. I like to go pretty heavy with the release to ensure absolutely no sticking.
Listen, you totally could buy a store-bought cake release or a non-stick spray, but this recipe will put those to shame. Inexpensive, simple and foolproof, this cake release is a baker’s best friend. Trust me.
HOW DO YOU STORE CAKE RELEASE?
I prefer to store Homemade Cake Release in a glass jar or container, but plastic will work too. No matter which you use, make sure it’s airtight. Stored at room temperature, it will last for up to 3 months. If in the refrigerator, it will last for about 6 months.
Honestly though, this is one of those pantry items that just about never goes bad. The ingredients themselves are non-perishable and can withstand long storage periods. Just take a whiff before each use; if it smells bad, toss. It’s that simple.
GRANDBABY CAKES’ BEST BAKING GUIDES
Chances are, if you’ve found your way to this blog, you’re someone who enjoys a baked good or two. If so, it’s always a good idea to have a few nifty baking tricks in your arsenal.
Check out some of my best ones:
- THE ULTIMATE LIST OF BAKING SUBSTITUTIONS
- HOW TO MAKE BROWN SUGAR
- BEGINNER BAKING TIPS
- HOW TO MAKE CAKE FLOUR
- HOW TO MAKE RICE
Homemade Cake Release
Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup shortening
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It lasts for up to 6 months.
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YES! Used this yesterday to grease a Nordicware Bundt pan with very deep ridges. First time ever that we were able to get these cakes out. No sticking whatsoever! Thank you for a great recipe!
Thank you.
I have been using the non stick spray for years. I don’t like to breathe it in or have it landing on any surface other than what I’m trying to grease so I spray outside. Doesn’t work in any kind of wind. I’m glad I found this, thank you!
What kind of “shortening” do you use? Butter? Crisco?
Crisco is totally fine.
Thank you so much for this! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had a chunk stuck to a cake pan that I had to “glue” onto the cake with frosting!
This is such a great idea. I love that it does not go bad.
This looks so delicious and yummy! My family is going to love this recipe! So excited to make this!
This is so much better than non stick spray and I really like that it stores for a few months.
Hello! Where has this been all of my life!
Thank you for posting this. This really will save me some money because the cake release products sold in stores doesn’t last very long, especially during baking seasons!